UPDATE - Turkey: 272 members of judiciary held over failed coup

UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF DETAINEES

By Muhammed Enes Can and Melike Gallenkus

ISTANBUL (AA) - More than 270 members of the judiciary in Istanbul were held Saturday in connection to a failed coup attempt.

A total of 272 prosecutors and judges were detained and prohibited from leaving the country, according to Istanbul prosecutor's office.

The detainees are accused of being members of FETO, the terrorist organization led by U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen that is accused of carrying out the attempted overthrow.

Friday night saw military elements make a “vile” attempt to overthrow Turkey’s elected government, according to Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Approximately 160 people were martyred in the ensuing violence.

Some 2,839 military personnel involved in the coup attempt have been arrested and 20 pro-coup soldiers, including senior officers, were killed in the attempt to overthrow the government.

The government said the coup bid was organized by followers of expatriate Turkish national Gulen, who is accused of pursuing a long-running campaign to overthrow the government through supporters within the Turkish state, particularly the military, police and judiciary.